The University of Limerick has been unveiled as the venue for the 2023 Flag Football European Championships next August.
It is the fourth major Championship that the campus has won recently and will add to the reputation garnered by hosting the U21 World Lacrosse in August, the World Masters Ultimate Frisbee from June into July and the European Quidditch Championships in July also being staged there.
This latest win was announced yesterday by the International Federation of American Football and will take from the 18th to the 20th of August 2023.
The tournament is expected to attract 640 athletes representing 32 teams from 16 nations.
Fast, dynamic and full of skill, Flag is the non-contact sport of American football where tackles are made by pulling off a flag which is worn by all players in a similar fashion to Tag Rugby.
Economic Value
The European Flag football Championships, consisting of both a women’s and men’s programme, will see the finest national teams compete for the title of European Champions. The players and their entourage will be staying in and around the city of Limerick for the week of the tournament, providing a massive economic boost for the region estimated to be worth €1 Million.
“Limerick’s ability to attract such a prestigious event reaffirms our stellar reputation for hosting large-scale International sporting events,” said Limerick City and County Mayor Daniel Butler.
“Essential to this of course is our collaborative approach, superb facilities and renowned hospitality. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the successful bid.”
“Hosting large, international sports events produces millions in economic impact for Limerick and will provide a very welcome boost to the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors in the region.”
American Football Ireland led the bid for the event to the IFAF with the support of UL Conference and Sports Campus, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Failté Ireland and Limerick City and County Council. The last European Championships were played in 2019 in Israel.
“Flag Football is an integral part of our sporting association,” said Aidan Maguire, President of American Football Ireland.
“It has grown year on year on the Island of Ireland and is a fantastic way for people to enjoy a great team sport in a friendly, welcoming setting.”
Culture and Craic
“The exposure which American Football Ireland will receive as a result will help with our 5-year strategic vision to bring flag football into more local communities and into secondary schools across the 32 counties. I look forward to welcoming the top nations from across Europe as they travel to Ireland to compete and to experience the best of Irish culture and craic in the process.”
“As part of our vision for 2028, the growth of Flag Football is a strategic activity of the International Federation of American Football,” added IFAF President Pierre Trochet.
“As we continue to work towards the biggest iteration of continental competition worldwide, it is essential to have partners like American Football Ireland hold an international class event to showcase the best of Flag Football in Europe.”
“We are delighted that the IFAF European Flag Football Championships will be hosted in Limerick next year,” said Sam Johnston, Fáilte Ireland’s Convention Bureaux of Ireland Manager.
“The city has excellent facilities and the local infrastructure to deliver successful sporting events of this scale and nature.”
“The European Flag Football Championships will attract international visitors from up to 16 nations who will bring a real boost to the region, contributing significantly to the local economy. Whilst the Championships will run over a 3 day period, participants travelling from abroad typically tend to stay on average 5-7 nights in Ireland, which delivers wider positive impacts on employment, the hospitality industry and by extension the exchequer.”
“Fáilte Ireland will continue to work with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, the University of Limerick and Limerick City Council to strengthen the partnership, and to continue to offer valuable support in an effort to attract further lucrative sporting events to the region,” he concluded.
